New York Festival of Song-the group whose performances "feel like dream dinner parties-the kind where a group of fascinating strangers come together to have wonderfully unexpected conversations" (Opera America)-presents its first-ever Christmas show: A GOYISHE CHRISTMAS TO YOU! Yuletide Classics by Jewish Songwriters, on Tuesday, November 29 and Thursday, December 1 at 8:00PM at Merkin Concert Hall.
NYFOS celebrates the holiday season in New York with this program of Yuletide songs, from classic to comic-entirely written by Jewish composers. A stunning caliber of singers will perform such staples as "Winter Wonderland" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." From Frank Loesser's "Baby It's Cold Outside" to Adolphe Adam's "Oh Holy Night," Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn's "Let it Snow" to Walter Kent's "I'll Be Home For Christmas," the popular Yuletide songbook is humorously and joyously packed with countless contributions by Jewish songwriters on behalf of their gentile counterparts.
Joining pianist Steven Blier for this playful occasion is a star-laden cast of vocalists, including mezzo-soprano and Metropolitan Opera star Stephanie Blythe, the inimitable Broadway luminary and Tony award-winner Judy Kaye, soprano Lauren Worsham (featured in the March 2011 Encores production of "Where's Charley?"), and a trio of gentlemen including tenor and Cantor Joshua Breitzer and baritones John Brancy and Joshua Jeremiah. Clarinetist Alan Kay also joins, providing the occasional touch of Klezmer authenticity.
NYFOS has earned critical acclaim for its outside-the-box programming, high artistry and warm, informal atmosphere. Led by founders Steven Blier and Michael Barrett, gorgeous voices, a sense of humor, and a love of words and music-not to mention a deep knowledge of musical culture-NYFOS plunders music's most remote precincts to create evenings of the deepest pleasure.
Program for A GOYISHE CHRISTMAS TO YOU: Yuletide Classics by Jewish Songwriters
Judy Kaye and Josh Jeremiah
Candle in My Window ("God Bless the Christmas Jews") (Howard Levitsky and Marc Miller)
John Brancy
I'll Be Home For Christmas (Walter Kent)
Joshua Jeremiah and Lauren Worsham
Baby, It's Cold Outside (Frank Loesser)
Judy Kaye
Silver Bells (Jay Livington)
Lauren Worsham
I'm Naïve (from The Dangerous Christmas of Little Red Riding Hood) (Styne)
Joshua Breitzer and Alan Kay
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (in Yiddish) (Johnny Marks)
Stephanie Blythe
Let It Snow (Jule Styne/Sammy Cahn)
Joshua Jeremiah and John Brancy
Winter Wonderland (Felix Bernard)
Lauren Worsham
Santa Baby (Joan Javits, Philip Springer, and Fred Ebb)
Josh Jeremiah
What Makes Santa Run (Ervin Drake)
Joshua Breitzer and Lauren Worsham
Don't Let Gramma Cook Christmas Dinner (Roy Zimmerman)
John Brancy
O Holy Night (Adolphe Adam)
Stephanie Blythe
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) (Mel Tormé)
Judy Kaye
My Simple Christmas Wish (David Friedman)
Stephanie Blythe and the Company
White Christmas (Irving Berlin)
UPCOMING NYFOS EVENTS
NYFOS@JUILLIARD:
INVITATION TO THE DANCE
Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 8:00PM
Peter J. Sharp Theater at Juilliard
Free Admission • Tickets are required
Tickets available starting January 3, 2012 at The Juilliard School Box Office 212-769-7406
Steven Blier and Michael Barrett; students from The Juilliard School Vocal Department
Songs about dancing (Respighi, Brahms, Sellars, Hahn, Rodgers) and songs with dancing (Gershwin, Harry Warren, Youmans, and others).
NYFOS AT MERKIN CONCERT HALL:
Tuesday, February 14 and Thursday, February 16, 2012
A MODERN PERSON'S GUIDE TO HOOKING UP AND BREAKING UP
Music by Irving Berlin, Stephen Sondheim, The Bobs, William Bolcom, Noël Coward, and Ed Kleban
Anne-Carolyn Bird, soprano • Liza Forrester, mezzo-soprano
Alex Mansoori, tenor • Jesse Blumberg, baritone
Sunday, March 11, 2012, Rosen House, Caramoor
Tuesday, March 13, 2012, Merkin Concert Hall
NEW YORK TO PARIS, PARIS TO PARADISE:
New Yorkers and Parisians at Home and Traveling the World
Music by Rorem, Charles Trenet, Milhaud, Roussel, Gershwin and many others
Introducing members of Caramoor's 2012 Vocal Rising Stars
NYFOS SPRING GALA:
OVER THE RAINBOW: Songs of Harold Arlen
Monday, April 2, 2012, 7:00PM
Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and ‘21' Club
The gala concert in celebration of the close of NYFOS' 24th season will feature the songs of the great Harold Arlen, accompanied by Steven Blier. The concert program is followed by an elegant supper at ‘21' Club. Contact New York Festival of Song (646) 230-8380 for further information.
THE NEW-MUSIC MINI-SERIES NYFOS NEXT:
Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at 7:00PM
NYFOS Next: Russell Platt & Friends
Mary Flagler Cary Hall at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music
450 West 37th Street betw 9th and 10th Avenues
FREE
